Gloves with easily deployed cuff catcher

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a glove having a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer&#39;s hand. The body has a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end. The cuff portion includes an annular ridge formed thereon and expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer&#39;s hand into the body. The ridge is positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from the body during the use of the glove can be caught by the pocket. In order to make the glove of the present invention, an annular projection is formed on a former. At least a portion of the former is then immersed into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material on the former. At least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covers the annular projection. The former is thereafter removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric material is cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the glove is defined by the annular projection and the layer of elastomeric material. The cured glove is then removed from the former.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/543,747 filed Feb. 11, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gloves and, more particularly, to an aid in forming cuffs in rubber gloves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rubber gloves are used by workmen, surgeons, and in the home. In the home such gloves are often used for washing dishes, cleaning with household chemicals, and car washing.

A common problem with using rubber gloves is that when the user washing dishes with such gloves lifts their arms toward their body via contracting of the elbow, water drips from the gloves onto the arm. To prevent this problem, a portion of the glove is rolled back on itself, thus forming a pocket to catch dripping water. This is normally done by manipulating the arm portion of the glove, folding the arm portion inside out, and then straightening the cuff thus formed to make it even. A problem with forming a cuff manually is that liquids will likely continue to run onto the arm because the cuff bulges at the fold, forcing the end of the glove to lie flush with the portion of the glove between the cuff and the palm.

A conventional rubber glove is manufactured on a ceramic former in the shape of a human hand and arm, as is known in the art. The problem of forming reliable cuffs is alleviated in the prior art by creating a folding point in the rubber glove. During manufacture of the rubber glove, the cuff folding point is formed by an annular depression in the ceramic former. This depression proceeds around the circumference of former approximately a few inches down from the wrist area. When the rubber glove dries around the former, the cuff folding point is formed as a rubber ridge. Unfortunately, this method requires special formers to produce such a glove.

Gloves with cuff beads and/or cuff inserts are also known in the prior art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,270 to Jabour and U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,709 to Miller et al.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by placing an elastomeric band around the desired area below the wrist on a conventional rubber glove former before the dipping process begins. After dipping the former in latex rubber, drying it, and curing it, the elastomeric band becomes an integral part of the rubber glove. This overcomes the need for special formers.

The present invention provides an additional advantage in that the elastomeric band is dimensioned so that there is a degree of tension on the elastomeric band when placed on the former. The band being under tension tends to draw in the glove, thus further defining the fold line, and making it easier and simpler to form the folded cuff.

The disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above can also be overcome by dipping a former in a bath of latex rubber without an elastomeric band; removing the former from the bath; allowing the latex rubber coating to partially dry; rolling the end of the cuff portion on itself to a point part way along the cuff portion; and re-dipping the former in the latex rubber bath at least one more time so as to form an annular ridge positioned within the cuff portion of the glove.

The glove made in accordance with the present invention includes a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand. The body has a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end. The cuff portion includes an annular ridge formed thereon and expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body. The ridge is positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from the body during the use of the glove can be at least temporarily caught by the pocket.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in order to make the glove, an annular projection is formed on a former. At least a portion of the former is then immersed into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material on the former. At least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covers the annular projection. The former is thereafter removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric material is cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the glove is defined by the annular projection and the layer of elastomeric material. The cured glove is then removed from the former.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of two exemplary embodiments of the invention, which is given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of two exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts the first step of manufacturing a rubber glove on a conventional former according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which an elastomeric band is placed around the former below the wrist;

FIG. 2 depicts the second step according to the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the former with the elastomeric band is dipped in a vat of latex rubber;

FIG. 3 depicts the third step according to the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the former, elastomeric band, and latex rubber coating are inserted in an oven and then heat-cured;

FIG. 4A depicts the final step according to the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the cured rubber glove has been removed from the former;

FIG. 4B depicts the final step according to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention depicting the former after the cured rubber glove has been removed;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4C-4C and looking in the direction of the arrows, of a portion of the rubber glove shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 depicts how the rubber glove is rolled on itself at the fold line formed by the elastomeric band embedded within the glove;

FIG. 6A depicts the first step according to the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the former without an elastomeric band is dipped in a vat of latex rubber;

FIG. 6B depicts the second step according to the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the former is removed from the vat of latex rubber, the rubber allowed to partially dry, and then the end of the cuff portion of the glove formed thereon is rolled back on itself;

FIG. 6C depicts the third step according to the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the former is re-dipped at least one more time in the latex rubber bath past the point of the rolled up portion of the glove;

FIG. 7A depicts the final step according to the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the cured rubber glove has been removed from the former; and

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 7B-7B and looking in the direction of the arrows, of a portion of the rubber glove shown in FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 depict the process of manufacturing a rubber glove on a conventional former according to the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a conventional ceramic former 12 has a finger portion 14, palm portion 16, and a cuff portion 18. An elastomeric band 10 is placed around the conventional ceramic former 12 at a position 20 between the ends of the cuff portion 18. The elastomeric band 10 can be made of the same material as the rubber glove to be formed or can be of another elastic or elastomeric material, such as a rubber band. Preferably, the elastomeric band 10 is partially vulcanized so as to allow the elastomeric band 10 to sufficiently adhere to a coating of latex rubber to be applied to the former 12. The elastomeric band 10 has a diameter that requires it to be stretched in order to apply it to the former 12 at position 20. Once applied to the former 12, the elastomeric band 10 is under tension during the glove forming process.

FIG. 2 depicts the second step according to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The former 12 is dipped in a bath 22 of latex rubber, covering the elastomeric band 10 to position 24 between position 20 and the end of the cuff portion 18. Alternatively, the bath 22 can contain natural rubber, latex nitrile rubber, latex neoprene rubber, latex, or other rubber or elastomeric materials.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the rubber-dipped former 12 is placed in an oven 26 within which heat 28 is applied to dry and cure the rubber. Parameters for how to apply heat with regard to temperature and time, as well as curing time, are known to those skilled in the art.

Now referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the rubber glove 30 is then removed from the former 12. The elastomeric band 10 is now an integral part of the rubber glove 30. More particularly, the elastomeric band 10 is embedded in the coating of rubber defining the cuff portion of the rubber glove 30, forming an annular ridge 31 which protrudes radially outwardly from the glove 30. The glove 30 can be formed such that the annular ridge 31 also protrudes radially inwardly from the inside of the glove 30. The area in the vicinity of the elastomeric band 10 is heavier, thicker, and of greater diameter than adjacent areas 32. Because the elastomeric band 10 was in tension around the former 12, the elastomeric band 10 is drawn in slightly from the outer circumference of the glove 30, forming a flare or truncated-cone shape 34 below the elastomeric band 10, and defining a convenient folding line for the user to form a folded cuff. These features will be readily apparent when the gloves are used or even when the gloves are packaged for sale.

FIG. 5 depicts how the rubber glove 30 is rolled or folded upon itself at the fold line defined by the elastomeric band 10 embedded within the glove 30. More particularly, a portion of the cuff is rolled back on itself at the fold line, thus easily forming a flared pocket 34 to catch, at least temporarily, dripping water or other materials falling from the glove during its use. The folded cuff does not bulge at the fold line, nor does the flared pocket 34 lie flush with the portion of the glove between the cuff and the palm. Because of the flared pocket 34, dripping water is inhibited from running down onto the user's arm.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the elastomeric band 10 can be positioned on the former 12 after the former 12 has been pre-dipped into latex rubber and a pre-coating of latex rubber is formed thereon. Such pre-dipping process can be performed for reinforcing the annular ridge 31 of the glove 30. The elastomeric band 10 can also be treated to increase the bond between the preformed rubber band 10 and the latex rubber. The elastomeric band 10 can be partially vulcanized to allow for an increased bond between the band and the latex rubber. The actual formulation of both the elastomeric band 10 and the latex rubber can be varied by anyone skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-7B, there is shown a process of manufacturing a rubber glove on a conventional former constructed in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 6A-7B, which correspond, either identically or substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-7B is constructed and operates in the same basic manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, the process of manufacturing a rubber glove on a conventional former according to the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. More particularly, a former 112 is dipped in a bath 122 of elastomeric material, such as latex rubber, without an elastomeric band placed thereon such that it is covered with rubber coating to the position 124. The former 112 is then removed from the latex rubber bath 122 (see FIG. 6B), and the latex rubber coating applied thereon is dried at least to the point where the end 136 of the latex rubber coating can be rolled back upon itself without dismemberment up to the position 120 so as to form an annular projection 138. With reference to FIG. 6C, the former 112 is re-dipped in the latex rubber bath 122 at least one more time to the position 124. Next, the former 112 is removed from the latex rubber bath 122 and is subjected to a drying and curing step similar to the drying and curing step utilized in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, so as to form a glove 130 (see FIG. 7A).

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the glove 130 has an integral, annular ridge 131 formed by the rolled up projection 138 covered by the coating of latex rubber applied during the second dipping step. More particularly, the annular ridge 131 protrudes radially outwardly from the glove 130. The glove 130 can also be formed such that the annular ridge 131 protrudes radially inwardly from the inside of the glove 130. The annular ridge 131 performs function or functions similar to those performed by the annular ridge 31 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, both the position of the band and its tension on the former can be varied. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A glove comprising a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, said body having a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to said body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite said first end, said cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, said ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into said body, said ridge being positioned between said first and second ends such that at least one section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said second end can be folded over another section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from said body during the use of said glove can be caught at least temporarily by said pocket.
 2. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge normally has a size which is smaller than the size of said second end so as to provide said pocket with a flare shape.
 3. The glove of claim 2, wherein said ridge includes an elastomeric band embedded therein.
 4. The glove of claim 3, wherein said band is covered with a layer of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.
 5. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge includes a roll of an elastomeric material embedded therein.
 6. The glove of claim 5, wherein said roll is covered with a layer of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.
 7. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge protrudes radially outwardly from an outer surface of said body.
 8. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge protrudes radially inwardly from an inner surface of said body.
 9. A method for manufacturing a glove including a body which is made from an elastomeric material and which is sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, the body having a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end, the cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, the ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body, the ridge being positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from glove during its use can be caught by the pocket, said method comprising the steps of: forming an annular projection on a former; immersing at least of a portion of the former into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material, at least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covering the annular projection; removing the former from the vat; curing the layer of elastomeric material so as to form the glove, the annular ridge of the glove being defined by the annular projection and said at least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material; and removing the glove from the former.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step includes the step of placing an elastomeric band on the former.
 11. The glove of claim 10, wherein said band normally has a size which is smaller than the size of the second end of the cuff portion so as to provide the pocket with a flare shape.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step includes the steps of: immersing at least a portion of the former into the vat of liquid elastomeric material so as to apply a coat of elastomeric material on the former; removing the former from the vat; at least partially curing the coat of elastomeric material; and rolling an end of the coat of elastomeric material so as to form the annular ridge. 